Backlist Recommendation: Freedom and Necessity

May 11, 2012

This month’s genre-busting backlist recommendation by Emma Bull and Steven Brust could be described in many ways. In fact, it has to be described in many ways. I tried to place it in one genre, but the best I could come up with was "romantic-historical-fantasy-mystery-swashbuckler." It’s one heck of a yarn!

Set in 1849, Freedom and Necessity tells the story of James Cobham, a man assumed to have drowned in an accident as the novel begins. Two months later, his cousin, Richard, receives a letter from James announcing that he’s alive and in hiding, but he can't remember the past two months. Richard warns James to stay put. He suspects foul play.

Plots and counter plots, bloody fights and breathless chases alternate with drawing room chats and steamy romance all dripping with richly detailed Victorian settings, virtues and vices. The array of weaponry, both historical and magical, is just plain awesome too!

Get your name on the hold list for this one; there’s only one copy in the system!

Laura M.
Kearney Branch